BRUNO Will Be Rated R

Two weeks back we told you that Sacha Baron Cohen’s upcoming comedy “Bruno” had drawn the dreaded NC-17 after its first run at the ratings board.If you’ve heard about some of the scenes in question you know why our relentlessly mirthless raters took the hard line with the film.Baron Cohen was said to be appealing the decision – but he was also hard at work with director Larry Charles preparing a slightly more hetero-friendly version of the film. Guess which approach won out in the end?

Earlier today the MPAA came out with its official verdict on the film – and it’s an R.

In reviewing the film’s “final edit” the MPAA apparently found a lot less to make them feel awkward and incensed, though they did note the film’s “pervasive strong and crude sexual content, graphic nudity and language” when announcing their decision.

I think that the studio should put the MPAA comments in bold letters right on the poster:“The MPAA says that ‘Bruno’ features pervasive strong and crude sex!!”That and some more pictures of Bruno in his short-shorts and I think they’ve got a hit on their hands…